Live coronavirus updates: 641 Essex patients die from Covid-19 in county hospitals

More than 640 patients battling coronavirus have now died across hospitals in the county.

Essex remains one of the worst-affected areas in the UK and has recorded the most Covid-19 deaths of anywhere in the East of England.

The latest data, released by NHS England, shows three Essex hospitals have each reported more than 140 coronavirus-related deaths on their wards since the start of the pandemic.

Basildon and Thurrock Hospital has recorded 159 people dying from Covid-19, followed by 141 patients at both East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust - which includes Colchester Hospital - and The Princess Alexandra Hospital NHS Trust in Harlow.

In total, 641 patients have passed away in hospitals and NHS Trusts within the county.

The Department of Health and Social Care has confirmed with the latest figures that there are more than 2,000 cases of coronavirus across Essex.

It also means that 33 more people who had tested positive for the virus have sadly passed away over the past 24 hours.

With today's statistics yet to be released, the county's total number of cases now stands at 2,014 people.

Of those cases, 1,589 have been recorded in the Essex County Council region, a further 224 have been registered in Southend-on-Sea and 201 are from the area under the control of Thurrock Council.

It came as the Department of Health and Social Care confirmed that nearly 13,000 people have now died as a result of Covid-19 across the UK, with a further 761 losing their lives in the latest figures.

NHS Thanks a Million

It is something that has, at some point, touched all our lives.

From cradle to grave, the National Health Service, and the incredible professionals within it who care for us, is a part of British life.

Today, more than ever, we should cherish those who dedicate themselves to our care, heedless of own health as they work tirelessly to care for people in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.

We have never needed our doctors, nurses, pharmacists and other carers more.

So let’s show them some love, and create a living map of gratitude from every corner of Britain - visit www.thanksamillionnhs.co.uk to drop a heart on the map wherever you are in the world.

By dropping a heart on the map, you’re saying you appreciate the efforts undertaken daily in the NHS.

Thanks a million, NHS workers - we love you.

Nationwide, 98,476 people have now tested positive for the virus.

The country is well into its fourth week of lockdown after the government chose to extend the original three-week period with the number of confirmed cases and deaths still rising significantly.

For the latest Essex coronavirus news and updates throughout the day, follow our live blog below:

Essex Chambers are delighted to be working with the Police, Fire and Crime Commissioner for Essex and the Essex Resilience Forum to ensure a wide range of urgent needs are met in this coronavirus crisis - and are so proud of our businesses coming forward to offer their services.

A message to the NHS

Callum Stollery has produced this sign on his whiteboard at home - a simple message showing how much was care for the NHS during these difficult times.

A message to all the NHS staff during these difficult times (Image: Callum Stollery)

13:14

Girl, 10, raises £750 for good causes

Shai is no ordinary ten-year-old girl.

She has a tube in her tummy which means she is unable to eat and drink like most people, and she has spent a lot of time in hospital since she was a baby.

But through her charity, Shai’s Smile, she has managed to raise some vital funds for good causes across the county. As a result of her fundraising, Shai will be donating £250 to Marsh Farm and £500 to the Phoenix Ward at Broomfield Hospital to help them during the coronavirus lockdown.

Young cadet salutes frontline staff during #ClapForOurCarers

Kieran Peters, a 14-year-old cadet from Chelmsford Detachment B, stood outside his house to salute all the carers currently working on the frontline of the coronavirus pandemic.

During last week’s #ClapForOurCarers and in full uniform, Kieran took the time to show his appreciation for the work carers up and down the UK are doing every day to help us through these difficult times.

Kieran saluted all the NHS staff during last week's Clap for our Carers (Image: Erika Peters)

11:28

The best time to visit a UK supermarket revealed

A new online tool from Oxford researchers is using mobile data to track population movement across the UK.

It can even help to determine when the quietest times to visit supermarkets are.